Automatic contbol system for



' Feb. 22, 1938.

C. M. KNIGHT AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Original Filed Feb. 11, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l Q vu. wN

Ulla

. INVENTOR. (144/4 6 7/7. finfyfif BY Feb. 22, 1938. I c. M. KN IGHT 20,658

I AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS S Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 11, 192E INVENTOR. 6742a]: 27. #:211 272 BY 0?. M 524 d -1TTORNEY$ c. M. KNIGHT Re. 20,658

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS. I

Fehfzz, 193s.

' Original Filed Feb. 11, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q INVENTbK Claude, I77. 791:9]:

Feb. 22, 1938; c. M. KNIGHT O Re. 20,658

AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Original Filed Feb. 11, 1925 f 5 Sheets-Sheet;

INVENTOR.

(Ya ud'e ?71 52,7

C. M. KNIGHT Feb."22, 1938.

' AUTOMATIC coxmzon SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Original Filed Feb. 11. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Claude .777. ll nfyiz zQ BY v 4 ATTORNEYS Reisaued Feb. 22,1938

PATENT oF-ncr.

AUTOMATIC coNmor. srs'mmron ELECTRIC Morons Claude M. Knight, Cleveland, Ohio Original No. 1,832,400, dated November 17, 1931, Serial No. 8,382, February 11, 1925. Application for reissue July 25, 1933, Serial No. 882,-

This invention, as indicated, relates to automatic controlling systems for electric motors.-

More particularly, it has in view a control system especially adapted i'or use in connection with 5 the screw-down motor of a rolling mill.

In the course of operation of adjusting the position of the rolls in a steel mill it is desirable to have perfect control of the screw-down motor of the type referred to, with absolute reliabil- 10 ity of operation, and the system of control herein provided includes the means for automatically starting, stopping and reversing an electric motor, as well as means for varying the points at which such automatic action takes place and 15 includes auxiliary manually controlled 'means which may be substituted in part or in whole for various portions of the automatically controlled means at any time that the operator of the mechanism desires to substitute such control, such no change from one method of control to another being capable of being made at the will of the operator without the necessity of making numerous preliminary changes. The control may be completely automatic, including starting, stop- 5 ping, and reversing of the motor; it may be a manual control with provision for automatic stopping of the motor only; it may be a complete manual control; or it may comprise the manual starting of the apparatus and automatic of the mechanism.

In addition to the variety 01' control provided for, it has been found desirable to introduce additional features of construction which, while not absolutely essential to the carrying out the controls referred to, serve as safety devices to insure reliability of action.

In rolling mill practice it is usual to have one of each pair of rolls adjustable in order to. bring 40 the billet or pice of work operated on to the desired dimensions. The adjustment of the movable roll is usually provldedior by means of an electric motor and the control system for such motor is designated a screw-down controller.

, The principal object of my invention is to provide control means which will cause an electric motor to operate in certain predetermined stages ineither direction oi travelr Another object of said invention is to provide for the starting, stop- 50 ping, or reversingot an electric motorat predetermined intervals. A further object of said in vention is to provide for a variable degree of manual control which may be used alternatively to the automatic control t an electric motor.

: Another object of the invention is to provide stopping of the same and automatic reversing 34 Claims. .(01. 112-2395 for the ready adjustment of therange of action of the motor control mechanism. A further object is to provide safety control elements to insure certainty of action of'the screw-down motor. Another object of said invention is to coordinate the screw-down motor controllerwith the other mechanism of the rolling mill, and in accord with the position of the work operated upon. Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course"oi' the following description.

While the description of this invention relates to the application of the same to a screw-down motor for a rolling mill, it is obvious that certain portions of the invention are of general application and it is therefore not intendedto in anyway restrict the scope of the claims to the particular construction illustratedand described. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said. invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

' The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rolling mill having a screw-down motor and motor control embodying the principle or my invention; 7 v

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuits and associated mechanism of the controller system;'

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the controller dial;

, Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the controller mechanism with portions broken away to illustrate the circuit connections;

Figure 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the apparatus as seen along the line 5-5, shown in Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figures 6 and 7 are side elevations of segment switches carried by the controller dial;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a trigger switch adapted to be operated by contact with the work passing through the rolls:

Figure 9 isan end elevation of the trigger 5o switch shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view showing an alternative formoi electrical connections and associated mechanism for the trigger switch;

Figure 11 is 'a diagrammatic view showing a u by the screw-down motor which drives the ad simplified form of the controller system whereby it is adapted to operate an electric motor in stages; and

Figure 12 is a front elevation of a dial adapted for the controller system shown in Figure 11.

The apparatus, as is disclosed in Figure 1, comprises a frame .J within which are mounted apair of rolls 0, P, such as are used in rolling mills for reducing ingots, billets 'or other work pieces to the desired shape and dimensions. The rolling mill may be of any standard design and the details thereof form nopart of the present inven-' tion. The mill illustrated is areversible mill of the two-high roll type of construction. The

upper roll is vertically adjustable and the ends Y thereof are journaled in-supporting blocks Q slidably engaged in the end portions of the frame J.

Each supporting block is screw-threadediy engaged upon a vertical adjusting screw T rotatably engaged in the respective side portion of the frame. Each of said adjusting screws has a worm gear 54 mounted adjacent its upper end.

A screw-down motor G is supported on the upper side of said frame and the shaft 85 thereof.

is provided with a worm (not shown) for driving each of said worm gears 64 The outer end of said shaft 85 is provided with a beveled gear 68 which intermesh'es with a beveled gear 61 mounted on the end of the shaft 24 which is supported within the housing of the screw-down controller L. Said screw-down controller is mounted upon a support 20 at one side of the frame J adjacent the motor G and, as shown in Figure 4, is provided with a shaft l0 journaled in a bearing I is in said support and driven by a gear wheel 22 actuated by a worm-23 upon the shaft 24 heretofore referred to. The controller shaft thus is actuated justing screws for the roll and the motion of said controller shaft corresponds in direction with that of said motor G. I

A series of feed rolls N is provided, extending on either side of the mill in alignment with the upper edge of the stationary roll P, and adjacent the side edges of the frame J, intermediate a pair of said feed rolls, a pair of triggers 8|, 6|, is pivotally supported. a

The mechanism associated with said triggers is disclosed in Figures 8 and 9. As therein disclosed each trigger is mounted at an intermediate position upon'a shaft 62, which carries at its rearward end an upwardly projecting arm GIL-the path of. movement of which carries it'pastthe lower end of a switch lever 63 pivoted adjacent its upper end upon a pivot pin Ill and carrying a laterally extending arm upon which switch contacts H, I, are mounted. Said contacts, in the normal vertical position of said lever 63, are adapted to be spaced a short distance from a pair of stationary contact terminals 58, 59. The action of the mechanism just described will be indicated in connection with the description of the electric circuits of the control mechanism.

Mounted upon a suitable support adjacent the controller a switchboard Z is provided, as is shown in Figure 1, said switchboard carrying a knife switch K, a pair of push button switches 4i, 42, a five blade switch M, and the electromagnetic switches S, F and R. The specific action of theseseveral switches will be made clear in connection with the description of the circui oi the control system.

The controller shown more particularly in FlguresS. 4, and 5, comprisesa supporting frame 2| upon which a dial 1 of suitable non-conducting material is mounted. lhe shaft l0, heretofore described, extends through the base and has the drive gear 22 secured to one end of the same and the indicator arm 8 secured to its opposite end. The dial is of circular shape and is provided at its marginal edge with an annular scale which may be adjusted about its periphery to bring the markings to any point desired. Attached to the dial are a plurality of segment rings 2, 4 and 8 concentrically arranged with respect to each other, each ring being formed of closely juxtaposed segmentsof suitable current conducting material such as copper, and each segment being insulated from every other segment in the same ring and the several segment rings being insulated from each other. A continuous ring 8 of similar material to that of the segment rings is provided concentrically within the segment rings and all of said rings are concentric with the shaft lli. Arranged circumferentially of the segment ring 2 a series of. individual segment switches 3 is provided-by means of which each individual segment may be alternatively connected to the conducting rings 30 or 3| arranged are adapted to connect their respective segments to the conducting ring 32 or to disconnect it therefrom as desired. In the description of the operation'of this apparatus to follow, the term connecting segment" will be used to refer to the connection of a segment in the ring 6 to the conductingring 33, or of a segment in the ring 4 to the conducting ring 22, and of a segment in the ring 2 to the conducting ring Ii, and the expression disconnected segment" will be used to refer to any of such segments as have been disconnected from their respective conducting rings 32, 33 and II by means of their individual switches Just described. u The individual switches 3 and 5 are illustrated in enlarged detail in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, and in Figure 5 is shown the connection of said switches with their'respective seg- 'ment plates. In said Figure 5 there also is shown the brushes I I,- IS, I 4, and II, mounted upon the arm 9 in position to make contact respectively with the segments of the rings 2, 4 and 8 and with the continuous ring 8. These brushes are formed of suitable current conducting material and the brushes ll, l3 and I4 are of such size that they I may make contact with but one segment of their respective rings at a time when centered on the segment, and said segments are so spaced that' the respective brusheswill not clear one segment before making contact with the nest adjacent segment in the direction of motion.

The means for driving the arm 9 has been above described and in order to have said arm travel about the dial with the proper degree of motion it is desirable to have the gear ratio between the motor G and the shaft l0 suchthat the arm will make less than one complete revolution while said motor is operating from its starting point to its limit of travel in either direction. As has been stated, the scale 2| may be adjusted about the controller dial, and such adjustment is necessary Circuit connections are clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. For the automatic operation of the device the trigger switches H, I, heretofore 'described, are actuated as the work passes through, the rolls and the screw-down mechanism is operated between the several passes to set the rolls at the predetermined spacing. The electro-magnetic switch F and its associated circuits are usedto control the successive screw-down operations of the motor G. After the last pass of the work through the rolls the electro-magnetic switch S is b'rought into action, which, through its associated'circuits and the electric magnetic switch R, serves to reverse the motor G and restore the screw-down control system to its original position. v l

The five blades of the switch M are placed on the right hand contacts, shown in Figure 2, when the full automatic action of the apparatus is desired. When, however, it is desired to assume manual control ofthe screw-down mechanism but still retain the automatic stopping of the motor, the five blades of the switch M are thrown to the left hand contacts, shown in Figure 2, and the knife switch K is thrown to the left if .a forward motion of the motor G is desired and to the right if a reverse travel of said motor is to be provided for. The push button switches 41 and ll are utilized to startthe motor in forward and reverse direction respectively.

When complete manual control of the screwdown motor is to be provided for the five bladed switch M is thrown to the left, as shown in Figure 2, and the knife switch K is opened and the push button switches II and 42 are locked in closed position. The swinging of the knife switch K to the left then operates the motor in a forward direction, while the swinging of said switch to the right serves toreverse the action of said motor. Any of thestandard devices for quickly stopping the motor by braking may be employed, the device forming no part of this invention. Obviously, when the knife switch is thrown to an intermediate position the motor is quickly brought to rest. I

The detailed description of the several circuits and their associated parts will now be taken up in connection with a description of the operation of the apparatus when used successively as an automatic, semi-automatic and manually controlled device. Where complete automatic control of the apparatus is to be had and it is desired to roll a piece of steel to a size that will require it being passed through the rolls and P five times, with an adjustment of the roll ,0 through the screw-down mechanism between each of said passes, the index on the arm 9 is positioned at some selected starting point such as opposite the letter A? shown adjacent said indicator in Figure 3 of the drawings. The gear ratio between the parts must then be such as to bring the indicator to a second point, for-example the point B when the rolls are in position for the second pass, opposite another point, for example that marked 0 for the .third pass, opposite another point, for example the point marked D for thefourth pass, and opposite another point,

left in connection with the conducting ring 82, and inthe ring 8 all segments are connected to the conducting rings 38 by means of their individual switches I, except the segments opposite the points marked A and E, which switches are disconnected from the conducting ring 88 by means of their individual switches.

The five blades of the switch M are thenswung to the right hand contacts and the switch K and the push button switches ll, and 4 2 are left in open position. The brushes ll, l8 and II on the arm 9 are in contact with the segments of the rings 2, 4 and 6, respectively, opposite the point A.

The feed rolls are then caused to rotate in a direction to cause the billet or piece of work operated upon to approach the mill from the right hand side of the view shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and in the course of its progress over said rolls and through the mill the billet will depress the trigger 6| toward the rolls. The trigger 6| has associated therewith a mechanism identical with that shown in Figures 8 and sitions of said parts are reversed, inasmuch as sad trigger is on the opposite side of the rolls. When the work passes over the companion trigger 6|, said trigger will be depressed away from the rolls which will cause the projecting arm 88 thereof to contact withthe lever 63, which will then resume its normal vertical position. ,As

soon as the billet has passed over the trigger 8| said trigger will be released so that it may be returned through action of its weighted lower end to a vertical position and in' thus moving its arm 68 will strike the lever88. and will bring the contactors H and I against the terminal elements 58 and 59, thus closing the circuit of the electric magnetic switch F. The circuit will be completed through the feed line 81 to the terminal 10, across the contactor supported upon the electro-magnetic switch S to the terminal 14,

then through the coil of the electro-magnetic switch F, the conductor II I and the conductor I08 to the terminal 53, and across the switch blade. 45 of the switch M to the terminal 83, thence through the conductor 82 to the terminal 8|, across the contactor of the switch S to the g=zed and the contactor bars 92 and 88 are drawnupwardly so as to close the circuits through the field coils and armature 86 of the motor G, causing the same to rotate in a forward direction which will drive the arm of the controller in a clockwise direction and brings the brush i3 car- *ried thereon into contact with successive.seg-.

ments of the ring 4 which have been connected to the conductor ring 32 through their respective individual switches, as hereinbefore described.

The motor therefore continues to operate in the forward direction, notwithstanding that the contactors H and I have been brought against the terminals 58 and 59 for only a brief period, in-

' ductor I" to the terminal SI, across the blade switch F has closed a maintaining circuit through the switch U actuated thereby. Inthis secondary circuit the current flows through the ieed line s1 to the terminal II, across a contactoroi' the switch S to the terminal I4,"through the coil F, thencethrough the conductor III and the con- 45 of the switch M to the terminal 83, thence through the conductor 82 to the terminal Bl, across the contactor oi the switch S to the terminal l8, thence through the conductor 8! to the:

arm 9 'to the brush II, and through said brush, to the continuous ring 8 and its, conducting ring H4, and thence through the conductor 25 to the current source.

.' The electro-magnetic switch F continues to be energized in this manner until the motor has traveled in a forward direction a sumcient distance to bring the arm I to a position opposite I the point marked B, whereupon the brush II will be brought into contact with the segment 4 0pposite said point B, which has been disconnected from the conductor ring 32. The circuit will thus be broken at this point and the electromagnetic switch F wiil be de-energized and the contacts 92 and supported thereby will be opened, causing the motor circuit to be opened and the motor brought to a stop.

During the period of action of the motor G, while the controller arm 9 was being moved from the position A to' the position B, the lowering screws T oi. the steel mill. were actuated to lower the roll 0 until the same wasbrought into the proper position before the second pass of the billet through the rolls. This second pass oi the work through the rolls will be from the opposite side of the mill to that from. which the billet start-i ed and the rolls are caused to rotate in a different direction by means 01' any standard mech-- anism in common use for said purpose.

The action oi. the mechanism which occurs upo the second pass of the billet through the rolls is merely a reversal of the action brought about during the firstgpass therethrough. The billet will pass over the trigger 6| without causing any circuit closing action of the circuit closing mechanism, but as it passes over the trigger GI itwill cause-the circuit to be closed by the contactorsH and I being moved against the terminals 58 and 59, and the circuit will beclosed through the coil F and the various conductors and switches as above outlined, and the motor G will again rotate in the forwarddirectioi'i. The operation of the motor will continue until the brush I3 is brought into contact with the segment 4 opposite the point C, when the motor will be stopped, and the roll-.0 will have been brought into the proper position relative to the roll P for operating upon the billet as it is again passed from the right hand side of the apparatus in the same direction as it was first passed therethrough but with a smaller degree of space between the rolls than was provided during said first pass. A similar operation or the mechanism occurs'as the billet is again passed from the left to the right and the arm 8 then moved to a point opposite the letter D".

when the last pass of the billet through the rolls hasbeenmadethearmlwillbebroughttoa minal amass position opposite the pointzlil and'the brush I3 will be in contact with the-segment 4, which been disconnected from the conductor ring-32 by means of its individual switch 5. At this time the brush IIwill be in contact with asegment the coil S, thence through the conductor Hi0 to,

the terminal 55, across a blade 4B of the switch M to the terminal 84, thence through the conductors I01, I 08 and 28' to the conductor ring II, then through the individual switch 3 'to the segment 2 and through the brush II and conductors ,I'I, I8 and I! upon the arm 9 tothe brush I5, thence through the ring to the conductor ring I I4, and then through the line conductor 25 tothe current source. r

When the electro-magnetic switch S. is'energized the conductors carried thereby, pivoted at the terminals 'I I, TI and BI, are drawn upwardly into contact with theterminals II, I8 and 80, and the contacts with the terminals I4, 9| and 88,

respectively, are broken. The switch Y, also carried by the magnetic switch S, is closed at'the same time. L When the billet leaves the rolls 0' and J? on its last pass the end thereof rides over thetrigger 6| and frees the same so that it may rise to the vertical position during which action-it strikes the lever 63 and brings the contactor H against the terminal II, closing a circuit which allows the current to flow through the line 81 to the terminal III, across the contactor to the contact II, thence through the conductor I2 and the coil of the electro-magnetic switch R, thence through the conductors ll, III and 82 to the terminal 8|, across the contactor to the terminal 80, thence to the contacts I! and H, through the conductor I28 to theterminal 18, across thecontactor to the terminal 11, through the conductor I09 to the terminal II, across the blade 44 of the switch M to theterminal ll, thence through the conductors IIII and I" to the conductor ring II4, thence through the line conductor 25 tothe current source. A

Through the energizing oi the coil R, the contactorsfl and 85 are caused to close the motor circuit 88, ",causing the motor G to rotate in a reverse direction to that heretofore described. At the same time the switches V and W, carried by the electro-magnetic switch R, are closed and ductors I9 and I02, through the switch V carried by the electro-magnetic switch R, thence through the conducor 28 and the conductor ring 33,

through an individual switch I and a segment 6 to the brush I4 and the conductor Iii to the brush II, and thence to the conductor ring I and the conductor ring II4 to the line conductor 25 and back to the current source.

The electro-magnetic switch'S has been held energized during this time by means 01' a circuit passing from the current source through the coil 8, thence'through the conductor I00 to the tar I5, acm a blade 48 oithe switch M to the terminal a, through the conductors m. m

I08 through the'switch X and the conductor IIM,

thence through the switch Y to the conductor 28 and the conductor ring 88, thence through an individual switch segment to the brush I I, thence across the arm 8 through the conductors I'I, I8

and I8 to the brush I5, thence to the conductor ring 8 and the conductor ring Ill; and thence through the line conductor 25 to the current source.

.The motor'continues to operate in the reverse direction until the arm 8 moves to a place opposite the point marked A, at which point the brush I4 comes into contact with the segment 8, which is disconnected from the-line 88. andthe circuit which energizes the electro-magnetic switch-R isopened. The opening of the switch It also breaks the, circuit of the electro-magnetic switch 8 by opening the switch W. Thecontactcrs Ill, 11,

and BI are then brought to, their original positions and the apparatus is in readiness to repeat the entire cycle of operations thus described upon the next piece of work to berolled. v

It will be noted that with a control of the character above described it is unnecessary to employ a skilled operator at the rolls as the setting of the dial will produce identical work upon the successive billets during each of the successive passes and will bring the completed work to a predetermined fl nished size. The quality of the product will be substantially uniform, inasmuch as eachpiece "rolled is given exactly the same draft on the respective passes and the reliability of the action of the mechanism is insured through the electrical control mechanism just described.

In order to substitute a partial manual control of the apparatus for the full automatic control and at the same time retainthe automatic stopping features above described, the five bladed switch M is moved to the left hand contacts, as shown in Figure 2, and the knife switch K is thrown to the left connecting the terminals 31 and 38. After the piece has passed through the rolls on the first pass the push button I! is depressed by the operator and the electro-magnetic switch F is energized. The current flows through the line 91 to the point 18, across the conductor to the terminal I4, through the coil F and thence through the conductor III to the terminal-38, across the knife switch to the terminal 31, thence through the conductor Iii to the push button switch 42 to the terminal 58, across the knife switch to the terminal 88, th'ence'through the conductors III and I08 to the conductor ring H4, and thence through the line conductor 25 to the currentsource.

As soon asthe motoriG has started because of this energization of the switch F, the button switch 42 is released. The circuit is then completed through the conductor II! to the terminal 48, across the blade 48 of the switch M to the terminal 81, through the conductor II8 to the switch U, thence through the conductor 21 and the conductor ring 82 to an individual switch 8 and the associated segment 4, thence through the brush I3 and across the conductors il and I8 upon the arm 8 to the brush II, thence through i the ring 8 to the conductor ring Ill and through the line conductor 2! to the current source.

The circuit is automatically opened when the brush I8 comes in contact with the segment 4 opposite the point B and the motor is stopped by the de-energization of the coil F. After the billet has passed through the rolls the button 42 is again depressed and the above operation is repeated until the desired number of passes through the rolls has been made.

After the last pass has been made and the mils are to be brought to their original position the switch K is moved to the right hand contacts connecting the terminals 88 and III. The button. switch I is then depressed and the electromagnetic switch R is closed. The current then flows through the line 81 to the terminal 18,

across to the contact I4, thence through the conductor to the terminal 58, across. the blade 41 of the switch M to the terminal, 85, thence through the conductor 18 and coil R to the conductor I3 to the terminal 88, across the switch K to the point 48, thence through the conductor I02 to the switch V and through the conductor 28 r to the conductor ring 38, thence to an individual switch 1 and its associated segment 8, through the brush II and conductor I8 upon the arm 8 to the brush I5 and the ring 8, and thence through the conductor ring I I4 and the line conductor to the current source.

This circuit remains closed until the arm 8 is insuch position opposite the point A that the brush I4 is in contact with a segment 8 which has been disconnected from the conductor ring 33 and the circuit is thus opened. The mechanism is now ready for a repetition of the cycle of operations just described and the switch blade is left, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings,

the switch K is opened and the button switches II and l! are locked in closed position, then as the switch K is turned to the left the motor will be actuated in a rorward direction, the current flowing through the line conductor 81 to the terminal III, through the contactor to the terminal 14, through the coil of the electro-magnetic switch F and conductor III to the terminal 88, across the blade of the switch K to the terminal 81, through the conductor II! and the push button switch 42 which is in closed position to the terminal 58, through the switch blade 44 to the terminal 86, through the conductors III! and I88 to the conductor ring IN, and thence through the line conductor 25 to the current source.

To operate the motor in the reverse direction the switch K is moved to the right to close the circuit across the contacts 88 and 40, and the current then flows from the current source through the line conductor 81 ,to the terminal I8, across the contactor of. the switch s to the terminal 14,

through the conductor "Ito the terminal 88, across the bladexfl of the switch M to the terminal 85, through the conductor 16 to the electro-magnetic switch R, through the conductor 18 to the terminal 88, through the blade of the switch K to the terminal 80, thence through the push button switch H which is in closed position to the conductor I88, and thence through the conductor ring III to the line conductor 25 to the current source. e

The circuits controlled by the switches U, V, x and Yare not essential to the operation of the device to eflect the general control of the systems outlined, but said' auxiliary circuits constitute safety means to insure the action of the motor at all times.

The circuits controlled by the switches U and V prevent the accidental restarting oi the motor after it has been automatically stopped through the control arm being carried past a disconnected segment and on to the connected segment. When such switches are employed absolute'certainty of operation is brought about even though a disconnected segment of the ring has been passed, as the original circuit will have been operated and the secondary circuit will be operated during the momentary passing of the disconnected segment. The motor may be restarted through the action of the trigger switches SI and Bi or through the button switches ti and t2. v

The circuits controlled by the switches X and Y in a similar manner provide against danger of overlapping a segment connectedwith conductor ii. In such event, the circuit would be completed through the line conductor 89, the coil S. the conductor M8, the contact 55, across the switch blade 4i of the switch M to the terminal 84, through the conductor I01, switch X, conductor I04, switch Y, conductor 29, conductor ring 30 and then through the segment switch 3 to the segment 2, to the brush ii, across the arm 8 through the conductors i1, i8 and i8 to the brush II, thence to the ring 8, the conductor ring H4,

and through the line conductor 25 to the current source.

Where the control is to be applied to. a motor having acomparatively long operating range in either direction of travel, the arm 8 will neces sarily move very slowly and under such conditions thetrigger switches Si or ii may becpened before the brushes i3 or H have cleared the disconnected segment suillciently to have engaged the next segment. The circuit would then be opened prematurely and the system would fail to function. The modified circuit shown in Figure 10 will obviate this difficulty. All the remain-.

ing circuits of the control apparatus are identical with those disclosed in Figure 2 of the. drawings and Figure 10 merely illustrates supplementary circuits for bringing about certainty of action of the mechanism under the special circumstances described. In place oi the contactors H and I being operated directly by the trigger switches BI and BI they are actuated by an electro-magnetic switch i2l. As shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, when the trigger switch I ,actuates the lever "in the proper direction and closes the switch I24 in the manner illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the circuit will be completed through the line conductor and the coil III, thence through the conductor I23, switch I24, conducton I28, conductor ring "4, and thence to the current source I20. The contactors H and I will then close and the motor is sta'rtedin the manner heretofore explained. As soon as the switch I24 swings open,

the circuit through the coil I will remain closed as long as the brush ll is in contact with the segment disconnected from the conductor 32 and This maintainand conductor ring ill, individual switch I, segment 4, the brush II, the arm l,.conductors is current source at I20.

and is ,on the arm 8', the brush II, the ring I, to the conductor ring 4, and the conductor to the This as of the main circuit before the connection with the segments 4 connected with I2 was regularly established.

In addition to the special operating features which may be added to the system originally described, I have found it desirable for certain purposes to simplify the control system so as to dispense with the electro-magnetic switch S, with the segment ring 2 andits series of individual switches 3, and with the five bladed switch M and theiressociated electrical conductors, including the brush H and conductor l'l upon the arm 9 when the apparatus is to be used simply as a control for operating anelectric motor in stages either in the forward or reverse directhe conductor ring tion of travel, or both, including means whereby such stages may be readily altered to meet the particular requirements under whichsaid motor is used. By the expression referring to the operation in stages" is meant the successive operation of themotor for predetermined periods of time of any desired length in one direction after intervals of time, at the will of the operator. Such travel may be followed by a reversal of the action of the motor until it returns to its starting point, or such return may hemade similarly in stages.

The special apparatus i'dr operating, a motor in v the manner just described is shown in Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings, and the parts therein,

insofar as they are identical with those disclosed in Figure 2, bear the same reference characters.

If an electric motor is required to operate in five stages in the forward direction and then operate continuously in the reverse direction until .the original starting point is reached, then the segments in the ring 4: opposite the points A, B, C,

D and E are disconnected from the conductor ring 32 by means of their individual switches 5. In the segmental ring 6 the segment 6, opposite the point A, is disconnected from the conductor ring 33 bymeans of its individual switch I. All other segments of the ring 4 are connected to the conductor ring 32 and all other segments in the ring 6 are connected to the conductor ring 33. With the arm '9 pointing toward the portion of the device marked A, the knife switch K is turned to the left so as to connect the terminals 31 and 28. When it is desired to start the motor 8 toward the point B and the brush clears the disconnected segment of A. The switch 42 may now be released as the secondary circuit will then be established through the switch U supported upon the electro-magnetic switch F, such circult being through the line conductor 91, conductor H4, coil F, conductor Hi to the terminal 38, across the switch K to the terminal 31, through the conductor I29, switch U, and conductor l3l to the conductor ring 32, thence through the segment switch I to the segment 4, and through the brush. l3 across the conductors l8, IS, on

the arm I to the brush Ii, and then-through the. 7f

- on the dial opposite thepoints C, D and E, re-

- the motor stopped. In exactly similar manner the motor 'is caused to stop when the arm 9 moves spectively.

when the arm 9 reaches the point E, estab-- lished as the limit of forward travel of the motor, and it is desired to cause the motor to rotate in thereverse direction until the original starting point is reached, the switch K is thrown to the right, connecting the terminals 99 and 49.

The button switch ll is then depressed and the circuit will be established from the source through the line conductor 91, conductor I'll, coil R, conductor 19 to the terminal 99, across the blade of the switch K to the terminal 49, thence through the button switch 4| conductor I93 to the current source at 29.

The motor will be caused to rotate and will carry the arm 9 in a counterclockwise. direction. Upon the energization of the coil R the secondary circuit will be established through'the line conductor ill, conductor H5, coil R, conductor 19 to the terminal 99, across the blade of the switch K to the terminal 40, thence through the conductor I32, switch V, conductor I99, thence to the conductor ring 99 and the segmentring 9,

- thence to the brush ll, across the conductor I 9 on the arm 9 to the brush l5, thence through the ring 9 to the conductor ring Ill to the current source at 29. This circuit will remain closed until the brush it comes into contact with the disconnected segment in the ring 9 opposite the point A. The circuit will be then opened'and the coil de-energized and the motor G stopped. The apparatus is now in position for the repetition of the entire cycle of operations just described.

Should it be desired to assume manual control of the control-apparatus disclosed in Figures 11 and 12, the button switches II and 42 are locked in closed position and the motor is controlled by manipulation of the switch K.

The ,contacts 92, 54, and 51, of the switch'M establish connections which prevent undesirable counter currents being set up.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one. explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a reversible intermittently operable electric, motor, a source 'of power therefor and manual means for cloflng the motor circuit to inaugurate operation, of means for determining the direction and extent of such operation as inaugurated by successive operations of said manual means, comprising a controller positively driven by said motor and provided with adjustable devices for temporarily maintaining the motor'circuitclosed and opening it at selected points of controller travel, and adjustable means for selecting forward or reverse motor connections for subsequent closure by said manual means.

2. A device of the character described having in combination, a material modifying apparatus,

a reversible intermittently operable electric motor, a source of power therefor and means associated wlth said apparatusfor closing themotor circuit to inaugurate operation, of means for determining the direction and extent of such operation as inaugurated by successive operations of said first-mentioned rneans, comprising acontroller positively driven by said motor and'provided with. adjustable devices for temporarily maintaining the motor circuit closed and opening it at selected points of controller travel, and adjustable means for selecting forward or reverse motor connections for subsequent closure by said first-mentioned means.

3. A device of the character described-havin in combination, a material modifying apparatus,

a reversible intermittently, operable electric motor, a source of power therefor and means for ,closingthe motor circuit to inaugurate operation, of means for determining the direction" and extent of such operation as inaugurated by successive operations of said first-mentioned means,

- comprising a controller positively driven by said' motor and provided with adjustable devices for temporarily maintaining the motor circuit closed and opening it at selected points' of controller travel, and' adjustable means for selecting forward or reverse motor connections for subsequent closure bysaid first-mentioned means and alternative. means for manually controlling the starting, stopping or reversing of said motor.

4. The combination withan intermittently operable electric motor, a source of power therefor and manual means for closing the motor circuit to inaugurate operation, of means for determining the extent of such operation as inaugurated by successive operations of said manual meanscomprising a controllerpositively driven by said motor and provided with adjustable devlcesfor temporarily maintaining the motor circuit closed and opening it at selected points of controller travel, and adjustable means for selecting motor connections for subsequent closure by said man- 'ual means. L

5. A device of in combination, a material modifying apparatus, an intermittently operable electric motor, a source of power therefor and means for closing the motor circuit to inaugurate operation, of means for determining the extent of such operation as inaugurated by successive operations of said first-mentioned means comprising a controller positively driven by said motor and provided with adjustable devices for temporarily maintaining the motor circuit closed and opening it at selected points of controller travel, and adjustable means for selecting motor connections for subsequent closure by said first-men tioned means.

6. A device of the character described havin in combination, a material modifying apparatus adapted to progressively handle the work, a reversible intermittently operable electric motor, asource of power therefor and means including work-actuated switches, elec o-magnetic switches and an auxiliary circuit for actuating the character described having l switches energized by closing of said work-actuward orrrevers'e motor connections for-subsequent versible intermittently operable electric motor, a

closure bwsaid closing means. 1 I

7. A device 01' the character describedhaving in combination, a material modifying apparatus adapted to progressively handle the-work, a're-' versibleintermittently operable electric motor, a

.source of power therefor and means including work-actuated switches, el'ectro-magnetic ated switches, an. auxiliary circuit-for actuating said electro-magnetic switches, and a second auxiliary circuit for maintaining first-named aux iliary circuit closed for closing the motor circuit to inaugurate operation, of automatic means for determining the direction and extent of such operation as inaugurated by successive operations of said closing means, comprising a third electromagnetic switch and an auxiliary circuit for actuating sarne and another auxiliary circuit for maintaining said last-named auxiliary circuit closed and a controller positively driven by said motor and provided with adjustable devices for temporarily maintaining the motor circuit closed and opening it at selected points of controller travel, and adjustable means for selecting forward or reverse motor connections, for subsequent closure by said closing means.

8. A device of the character described having in combination, a material modifying apparatus adapted to progressively handle the work, a resource of .power therefor and automatic means including work actuated switches, electro-rnagnetic switches energized by closing of said work--' actuated switches, an auxiliary circuit for actuating said electro-magnetic switches, and a second auxiliary circuit for maintaining first-named auxiliary circuit closed, for closing-the motor circuitto inaugurate operation, of automatic means for determining the direction and extent of such operation as inaugurated by successive operations of said closing means, comprisinga third electromagnetic switch, and an auxiliary circuit for Y actuating same and another auxiliary circuit for maintaining said last-named auxiliary circuit closed and a. controller positively driven by said motor and provided with adjustable devices for temporarily maintaining the motor circuit closed and opening it at selected points ot'controller travel, and adjustable means for selecting forward or reverse motor connections, for subsequent closure by said closing means, and alter-' native means for manually controlling the starting, stopping or reversing of said motor.

9. A device of the character described having in combination, a material modifying apparatus adapted to progressively handle the work,-a re- .versible intermittently operable electric motor, a

source of power therefor and means including a work-actuated switch, anelectro-magnetic switch and contactors and an auxiliary circuit torfactusting same, electro-mag'netic switches and a second auxiliary circuit for actuating same, a third auxiliary circuit for maintaining last-named auxiliary circuit closed, tor closing the motor circuit to inaugurate operation of automatic means for determining the direction and extent of such operation as inaugurated bysuccessive operations of said closing means, comprising a fourth electro-magnetic switch and an auxiliary circuit for actuating the same, and another auxiliary clr-' cult for maintaining said last-named auxiliary circuit closed,:and a controller positively driven some starting, stopping or reversing of said motor.

10. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for adjusting the rolls, a limit switch, means for eflectingthe operation of said limit switch in accordance'with the operationoi the screw-down motor, means cooperative with the limit switch to effect the stopping of the screw-down motor in a plurality oi -predeter-- mined positions, and means i'or variably controlling the distances'between the respective positions.

11. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a

screw-down motor for shitting the rolls, manual means for starting the screw-down motor, means for automatically stopping the screw-down motor and rolls when the rolls are. in diflerent predetermined positions, and means for regulating the distance between the respective roll positions to diilerent values. f

12. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, manual means for effecting the starting of the screwdown motor, means for automatically stopping the screw-down motor when the rolls have reached a predetermined position, and means for presetting the automatic stopping means to function at a pluralityoi diflerent predetermined I positions.

13; In a control system for ro-lling.mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, a manually operable switch i'oreflecting the starting of the screw-down motor, a limit switch operable in accordance with the movement of the screw-down motor, and means for variably presetting the automaticstoppingmeans to function at a plurality of different predetermined positions.

I 14.v In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for positioning the rolls, a manually operable switch for eflectlng the starting of the screw-down motor, means i'or automaticallystopping the screw-down motor when therolls are in preselected positions, and means for adjusting the-preselecting means for' said positions.

15. In a control system for variably operated apparatus, the combination of a motor for driving elements of the apparatus, a limit switch,

means for eii'ecting' the operation of said limit switch in accordance with the operation of the motor, means cooperative with the limit switch to cited: the stopping or the motor in a plurality of predetermined positions, and means for variably controlling the distances between the respective positions. 16. In a control system for rolling mills pro'- vided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-:down motor for adjusting the rolls, a limit switch for electing the operation 01' the screwdown'motor, means tor-starting the screw-down motor, and presetting means responsive to the limit switch for successively automatically stopwhen the rolls are in different predetermined p0 sitions, and means for variably pre-setting the automatic stopping means to function at, a plurality or different predetermined positions.-

18. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, manual means for-effecting the starting of the screwdown motor, manual means for reversing the screw-down motor and presetting means for successively automatically stopping the screw-down motor when the rolls are in diiferent predetermined positions.

19.1n a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, manual means for effecting the starting of the screwdown motor, manual means for reversing the screw-down motor, means for automatically stopping the screw-down motor when the rolls have reached a predetermined position, and means for pre-setting the automatic stopping means to function at a plurality oi diflerent predetermined positions.

20. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rollsI means for starting the screw-down motor, presetting means for successivelyautomatlcally stopping the screw-down motor and rolls when the rolls are in diflerent predetermined positions, and means for automatically reversing the screw-down motor and rolls at predetermined positions.

. 21. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality 01 rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, means for starting the screw-down motor, means for automatically stopping the screw-down motor and rolls when the rolls are in diflerent predetermined positions, means for automatically reversing the screw-down motor and rolls at predetermined positions, means forpresetting the automatic stopping means to function at a plurality of diilerent predetermined positions, and means for presetting the automatic reversing means to function at different positions.

. 22. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality oi! rolls, in combination, a

screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, means for starting the screw-down motor, presetting means for successively automatically stoppin the screw-down motor and rolls when the rolls are in difierent predetermined positions, and means for manually reversing the screw-down motor and rolls.

23. In a control system (or rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, means for starting the screw-down motor, means for automatically stopping the screw-down motor and rolls when the rolls are indifl'ercnt predetermined positions, means for manually reversing the screw-down motor and rolls, and means for presetting the automatic stopping means to function 'at a. plurality of diflerent predetermined positions.

24. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination a,

screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, means for star -ins the screw-downmotor, preaetflng means for successively automatically stopping the screw-down motor and rolls when the rolls are in different predetermined positions, means for automatically reversing the screw-down motor and rolls at predetermined positions, and means for rendering the automatic means ineiiective and making the screw-down motor responsive to manual control.

25. In a control system for rolling mills pro- Vided with a plurality of rolls, in combination. a screw-downmotor for shifting the rolls, means for starting the screw-down motor, means for automatically stopping the screw-down: motor,

and rolls when the rolls are in different predetermined positions, means for automatically revers ing the screw-down motor and rolls at predetermined positions, means i'or presetting the automatic stopping means to tunction at a pluralityof diflerent predetermined positions, means for presetting the automatic reversing means to function at diiierent positions and means for rendering the automatic means ineiiectlve and makin the screw-down motor responsive to manual control.

26. In a control system for variably operated apparatus, the combination of a motor for driving elements oi the apparatus, means for starting the motor, means for automatically stopping the motor and associated elements when the elements are -in diflerent predetermined positions, means for regulating the distance between the respective positions to diflerent values, and means for rendering the automatic means ineffective ative with the limit switch to effect the stopping of the screw-down motor successively in a plurality of predetermined positions.

28. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor vfor adjusting the rolls, a limit switch for effecting the operation of the screw-' down motor, means for starting the screw-downmotor, and presetting means responsive to the limit switch for-successively automatically stop-.

ping the screw-down motor when the rolls are in one of a plurality of different predetermined positions.

29. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality 01 mils, in combination, a screw-down motor for shifting the rolls, manual means for starting the screw-down motor and presetting means for successively automatically stopping the screw-down motor and rolls when the rolls'are in diflerent predetermined positions.

30. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-downmotor for shitting the rolls, means for eiiecting the starting oi the screw-down motor, and presetting means for successivelyautomatically stopping the screw-down motor 7 when the rolls have reached one o! a plurality of predetermined positions.

31. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor i'or'shitting the rolls, a manu- N Y operable switch for effecting the starting'oi g" the screw-down motor, a limit switch operable in accordance with the movement of the screwdown-motor, means for substantially simulta'ne- I ously presetting said switch to ei'iect the successive stopping oi the screw-down motor when the rolls are in dii'ierent predetermined positions.

32. In a control system for rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a

screw-down motor for positioning the rolls, a manually'operable switch for effecting the startin: of the screw-down motor, means for automatically stopping the screw-down motor when the rolls are in preselected positions, and means for setting the preselecting' means.

83. In a control system i'or rolling mills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a

screw-down motor for moving one oi'the rolls from one position to another as metal is passed through the mill, means for starting the screwdown motor, presetting means for successively controlling the motor to set said roll in a plurality of predetermined selected positions,ssaid control means being adapted to automatically stop the screw-down motor when the rolls have been actuated to the selected-relative positions.

34. In a control system for rollingmills provided with a plurality of rolls, in combination, a screw-down motor for moving the rolls, presetting means for providing successive automatic selection of one of a plurality 01 roll' positions, and means for rendering the automatic means ineii'ective and making the screw-down motor responsive to manual control.

- CLAUDE M. KNIGHI. 

